Fewer applicants for teacher training.

There were 5,530 fewer applicants in November 2017 than in November 2016, UCAS statistics show

The number of people applying to start training as teachers next year has dropped by more than 40 per cent compared with last year.

Data from admissions body UCAS shows that 7,310 people had applied for teacher training by November 20, 2017 – compared with 12,840 at the same time last year.

The opening date for applications for teacher training courses in higher education, schools-based initial teacher training (Scitt) and school direct courses in 2016 started a week earlier than in 2017.

But John Howson, visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University, said that the drop was worrying.